Leon County Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom imposed the life sentences on John’Darious Wright, Rahyim Sanders and Tyrell Guinnie after a jury convicted the trio in May of multiple felonies stemming from two home invasions on Sept. 25, 2023. Because each defendant was convicted of the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, Florida law required a life sentence.

Prosecutors said Wright carried out both home invasions and shot Tallahassee Police Officer Caleb Babb while fleeing the second crime scene on Sandpiper Court. Babb, who had been on the force for about a year, suffered a gunshot wound that severed his femoral artery and nearly died from blood loss before receiving emergency medical treatment. Wright also was convicted of shooting a man in the face during an earlier home invasion on Cypress Point Road that same morning.

During Monday’s sentencing hearing, Officer Babb addressed the court, describing the lasting impact the shooting has had on his life and career. Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell also spoke, praising Babb’s courage and the officers who responded that morning.

Babb ultimately made a full recovery and became the first living recipient of the Tallahassee Police Department’s Purple Heart award. Monday’s sentences conclude one of Leon County’s most significant violent crime prosecutions in recent years, bringing nearly three years of court proceedings to a close.

Gillum, 46, was arrested July 2 by the Daphne Police Department and booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center on charges of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree possession of marijuana. Jail records indicate he was released the following day. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances leading to the arrest.

Gillum served as mayor of Tallahassee from 2014 to 2018 before winning the Democratic nomination for governor. He narrowly lost the 2018 general election to Ron DeSantis by about 32,000 votes, one of the closest gubernatorial races in Florida history.

The arrest marks the latest legal setback for Gillum. In 2020, he entered a rehabilitation program after a widely publicized incident at a Miami Beach hotel, saying he had struggled with depression and alcohol abuse following his gubernatorial defeat. No criminal charges were filed in connection with that incident.

Gillum was also prosecuted in federal court on campaign-related charges stemming from his time in public office. In 2023, a jury acquitted him on one count, while the court declared a mistrial on the remaining counts after jurors were unable to reach unanimous verdicts.

As of Tuesday afternoon, neither the Daphne Police Department nor Gillum had publicly commented on the Alabama arrest. The charges remain allegations, and Gillum is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

At approximately 12:03 a.m., on July 4th, TPD responded to the area after it was reported an individual had been robbed. When officers arrived, an adult male was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were immediately attempted, but sadly the victim succumbed to his injuries.

This remains an open and active investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Currently, there is no known ongoing threat to the public.

The board elected Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor as its new vice-chair, filling a vacancy created when City Commissioner Curtis Richardson became chair on June 1. Under Blueprint’s bylaws, the chairmanship rotates annually between a city commissioner and a county commissioner, requiring the vice-chair to come from the opposite governing body. Commissioner Proctor’s appointment places him in line to become chair following Richardson’s term.

The board also approved a $375,000 non-competitive economic development project request from Neighborhood Medical Center to support operational costs associated with a new pharmacy project. The agency’s review found the project includes a $213,628 private capital investment, is expected to create seven full-time jobs with competitive wages and could generate an estimated $3.9 million economic impact for the community.

In another economic development action, Blueprint approved a competitive incentive package for “Project Prestige,” an expansion proposal from a local advanced manufacturing company considering a new facility at Innovation Park. The project represents a potential $25 million capital investment, a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing center and 100 new manufacturing and research jobs over the next two years. The company is evaluating multiple locations, making the incentive package part of a broader effort to retain and expand local industry.

The board also directed staff to return with revisions to Blueprint’s Small Business Enterprise policy to ensure compliance with new state requirements. The review examined the agency’s Minority, Women, and Small Business Enterprise program, including certification standards, supplier diversity practices and participation goals following changes in Florida law affecting local diversity-related programs.

Finally, Blueprint approved eminent domain resolutions tied to two transportation projects: Airport Gateway and the Northeast Connector Corridor. The resolutions authorize the agency to pursue property acquisitions needed for bridge improvements on Springhill Road over Munson Slough and improvements along Bannerman Road. Officials said no residential or business relocations are required, and legal action would only be used as a last resort if negotiated property purchases cannot be completed.

The actions highlight Blueprint’s continued focus on transportation infrastructure, economic growth and compliance with changing state requirements.

The district announced the facilities would close beginning June 20, 2026, saying the decision applies to all high school tracks and fields “for the foreseeable future.” The announcement comes approximately nine months after Leon County Schools reopened selected tracks following a nearly two-year period when community access had been restricted.

The original closure in 2023 was driven by concerns over liability, security, vandalism and the district’s responsibility for maintaining school facilities. At the time, community members argued that the tracks provided important free spaces for exercise, running clubs and residents who did not have easy access to similar facilities.

In September 2025, Leon and Chiles high school tracks reopened under new restrictions. The tracks were available from sunrise to sunset when school activities were not taking place, with security cameras installed to monitor activity and discourage vandalism.

The reopening was viewed as a compromise between residents seeking access and district officials concerned about safety and costs. Leon High School was initially identified as the first facility to return to public use, with Chiles later included.

The latest closure has renewed debate over the balance between public access and school district risk management. Supporters of open tracks say school athletic facilities are community assets that promote health and recreation. District officials have maintained that student safety, facility protection and liability concerns must remain priorities.

The district has not announced a timeline for reopening the facilities, saying the closure will remain in place until further notice.

The race for Tallahassee’s mayor took center stage as candidates gathered at the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates (NEBA) June luncheon held at the Capital City Country Club. The candidates included former state lawmaker Loranne Ausley, current City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and attorney and businessman Daryl Parks. Candidate Michael Foust, the only Republican in the field, did not qualify because he failed to meet campaign fundraising thresholds set by NEBA. However, Foust did attend the luncheon.

A straw poll conducted at the end of the forum – only NEBA members were allowed to vote – showed Parks with 51%, Ausley second with 27%, Matlow third with 15% and Foust fourth with 6.5%.

Civility

The forum began with a focus on the tone of local government. Ausley, drawing on her 14-year tenure in the Florida legislature, argued that Tallahassee has spent “too much time on conflict, controversy, and saying no”. She positioned herself as a candidate of “maturity and leadership” capable of bringing people together to focus on jobs and economic growth.

In contrast, Commissioner Jeremy Matlow leaned into his role as a reformer. In his closing remarks, he acknowledged that some may view him as “radical” for “calling out a closed-door system,” but he framed his approach as “shining a light in a dark room” to ensure the city commission represents the community. Daryl Parks, a self-made business owner and lawyer, emphasized the need for a “fresh mindset”, promising a leadership style rooted in collaboration and accountability.

Economic Development

When asked about the industries best suited for Tallahassee’s future, Matlow identified technology, healthcare, and tourism as the three primary areas for advancement. He argued that the mayor’s role is to be the “face of our city” for prospective companies, addressing the “difficult” permitting culture that currently hampers business growth. Ausley emphasized the importance of utilizing local powerhouses like FSU, FAMU, and the Mag Lab to drive the economy forward. Parks, meanwhile, welcomed the Chamber’s proactive stance and suggested that OEV needs a “rethink,” perhaps modeling it after successful economic initiatives in other regions, such as Santa Rosa County.

Infrastructure and Blueprint Priorities

A sharp divide emerged regarding the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency’s funding. Commissioner Matlow argued for prioritizing basic infrastructure, such as paving dirt paths in neighborhoods where children walk to school. He explicitly opposed “luxury projects” like the Airport Gateway, which he claimed lacks significant economic upside. Matlow is also on record opposing the Northeast Gateway.

Daryl Parks, citing his experience in the hospitality and airport business, strongly disagreed, stating that “roadways play a critical part of what happens around airports” and can strategically enhance surrounding properties. Ausley took a historical perspective, comparing modern infrastructure concerns to the past development, arguing that “with growth we need to be talking about the right type of infrastructure”.

The conversation turned to the FSU-TMH academic health center, a partnership all three candidates generally supported, albeit with different caveats. Parks viewed it as a “unique opportunity” to improve health outcomes and potentially secure a Level 1 Trauma Center for the region. Ausley called it a “world-class academic medical center” that would attract top physicians and researchers, though she emphasized the importance of protecting charity care and maintaining transparency. Matlow, who voted against the sale of hospital assets to FSU, also supported the creation of FSU Health, linking better healthcare outcomes directly to a stronger local economy.

Addressing the Housing Crisis and Wages

As housing costs rise and wages stagnate, the candidates proposed varied strategies. Matlow advocated for increased density in the urban core, particularly on “asphalt parking lots” and “outdated retail uses,” to attract young graduates. Parks pointed to the building permitting process as a primary factor in high housing costs, promising to work on lowering these barriers. Ausley highlighted her legislative record of funding affordable housing and pointed to projects like the Orange Avenue development as models for “smart infill” and mixed-income communities.

Public Safety and Violent Crime

On the issue of public safety, candidates agreed that the solution lies in a mix of enforcement and social intervention. Parks emphasized youth intervention and linked crime directly to a lack of economic opportunity. Ausley focused on community policing and improving the trajectory of residents in neighborhoods like South City through education and healthcare.

Matlow noted that the city commission had already allocated $1 million toward these efforts but argued that the city must address its “25% poverty rate” to truly solve the crime problem. He also pointed to the high rate of guns stolen from unlocked vehicles as a specific issue requiring community action.

The Lightning Round: Quick Takes and Personal Insights

A “lightning round” provided a glimpse into the candidates’ immediate priorities and personalities:

• Police Chief Grade: Ausley gave Chief Lawrence Revell an “A,” Matlow a “B,” and Parks an “A”.
• Top Priority: Matlow chose infrastructure, while both Parks and Ausley chose jobs.
• Property Taxes: All three candidates opposed a statewide amendment to phase out most non-school homestead property taxes, with Matlow warning it would raise costs for renters and business owners.
• Mentors: Matlow cited a high school mentor, Parks named former FAMU President Frederick Humphries, and Ausley honored her father.

Closing Arguments

In their final appeals, the candidates reinforced their central themes. Daryl Parks positioned himself as a “self-made business owner” with the “independent capital” and “fresh mindset” needed to break eight years of perceived stagnation at City Hall.

Loranne Ausley concluded by highlighting her 25-year history of “building bridges” between parties to deliver results for Tallahassee, promising to bring “civility back” to the city she loves.

Commissioner Matlow argued that his experience as a pizza shop owner and his relentless push for transparency make him the right choice to lead from the top.

Just weeks before voters will begin casting votes for the next mayor of Tallahassee, mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow, in a video message posted on social media, congratulated the Mamdani, for the congressional primary wins of Mamdani’s endorsed candidates in New York last week.

Mamdani has been a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) since 2017.

In the message, Matlow attacked the Democratic party as “the old guard” and compared the current party to the MAGA movement. Matlow said, “We’re seeing a huge shift in the Democratic party. The old guard that focused on establishment interests, taking corporate donations that are also fueling the MAGA movement uh just isn’t good enough anymore.”

This attack parallels what is going at the national level, as the Democratic party attempts to fend off the takeover of their party apparatus by Democratic Socialists.

Matlow also promoted socialist policies he would pursue if elected mayor, including municipal provided childcare services for all citizens. Mamdani has advocated expanding publicly funded childcare, with the goal of making it broadly available rather than relying primarily on private providers.

Matlow also adopted Mamdani’s argument that wealthy people are responsible for the plight of the downtrodden in the U.S. In his message, Matlow singled out the “developer class” as an obstacle to addressing problems in Tallahassee.

Mamdani’s Endorsed Candidates

Zohran Mamdani’s endorsed candidates represent the most progressive wing of the Democratic Party, often described by critics as embracing “extreme” positions. Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller, has supported democratic socialist policies, expanded tenant protections, and sharply criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Claire Valdez, a democratic socialist organizer, has advocated for stronger labor rights, public investment, and a more confrontational approach toward corporate power.

Darializa Avila Chevalier has drawn the most controversy, with critics pointing to past support for abolishing prisons and borders, while supporters frame her views as a demand for a different approach to public safety and immigration. She also criticized mainstream Democrats, calling Joe Biden “a rapist” in 2020, though she later said she voted for him in that year’s presidential election. She also tweeted “f*ck Kamala Harris” in 2021 after Harris gave a speech discouraging migration to the US.

Collectively, the three candidates favor expanded government programs, wealth redistribution, stronger tenant protections, and a major shift away from traditional Democratic establishment politics.

Matlow’s message appears to indicate he sees the victories of these candidates as evidence that voters now prioritize progressive urban policies in Tallahassee.

Nicolas is the current School Board chair and president of ESPMedia, a local media company. His wife is an assistant principal at RAA Middle School.

Reilly currently works in the hospitality industry. Since announcing his campaign, he has regularly attended school board meetings. He graduated from Godby High School in 1988. His wife currently works in the district’s HR department, 

Nicolas addressed “administrative bloating” by stating that comparisons with similar districts that show LCS has more administrative positions is misleading. He explained that while Leon County’s administrative staff may appear larger than neighboring districts, it is because Leon County keeps those positions in-house whereas other districts subcontract those same roles. He specifically called the claim that the district has 210 more administrators than peer groups “factually incorrect”.

However, Nicolas did concede that the district had more assistant principals than were warranted and stated that they are currently “correcting that”.

On staffing, Reilly said he’d like to see the board take a more proactive approach, and he said he thinks reducing top-level staff could be part of that answer.

“I also feel that we have a very top-heavy school system—I think that’s proven,” he said. “We have more people than we need. We continue to hire more at the district level, and we need to cut those jobs instead of hiring more if we have less students.”

On school choice, Riley said charter, private, and religious schools provide “healthy competition.” He argued that parents should have options because public schools have created their own problems, specifically citing issues like bullying as a reason students leave the district.

While he supported the district’s recent move to hire a third-party recruiter to bring students back, he called it a “reactive thing” and emphasized that the board needs to address the root causes of why families are choosing other options. Riley even stated that, at the current time, he might not personally recommend Leon County Public Schools to a new resident, noting that his own daughter attended Florida High
.
Nicolas disagreed that the current environment represents healthy competition, primarily because of a lack of shared accountability standards. He argued that private schools receiving voucher money are not held to the same standards as public schools and have the ability to “sift through” the students they want while shunning others.

Nicolas made a pitch for public schools by noting that graduation rates have increased by 8%, and the district now features unique partnerships like on-campus banks to teach financial literacy and dedicated college and career centers.

On the property tax increase that is scheduled to be on the ballot in November, Nicolas said he strongly supports the increase, framing it as a critical investment in the district’s workforce and security. He highlighted that Leon County teachers currently rank 44th in pay in Florida.

Riley opposes the property tax increase, arguing that the district should look inward to its current budget before asking taxpayers for more money. He stated he cannot justify an additional $300 per person per year in property taxes for community members who already feel “crushed.” His backup plan, should the tax fail, is to cut executive positions at the district level that he deems unnecessary.
.

.

.

.

TR has previously published comparison data on the number of staff members. This report looks at the dollars being spent the staff.

The comparison includes five similarly sized Florida school districts: Leon, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Alachua, and Bay counties. Leon County Schools has a student population of 30,964, placing it near the top of the peer group. The analysis found that Leon’s spending exceeds the peer group average in three of the four staffing categories reviewed.

The largest difference is in non-teacher instructional staff, which includes positions outside the traditional classroom setting that support instruction. Leon spends approximately $16.54 million in this category, compared to the peer group average of $12.22 million. That represents about $4.32 million more than the average district in the comparison.

Leon also spends more on school administration than its peers. The district allocates approximately $26 million for school administrative staffing, compared to the peer average of $19.33 million. The difference of $6.68 million is the largest staffing gap identified in the analysis.

The third category where Leon exceeds its peers is student support staff. Leon spends $13.4 million, while the average among comparable districts is $14.98 million. Unlike the other categories, Leon is actually below the peer average in this area by approximately $1.58 million.

Combined, the analysis shows Leon County Schools spending approximately $9.42 million more than the peer group average across the three staffing categories when adjusted for the differences identified.

Overall staffing costs for Leon total approximately $55.94 million, compared with the peer group average of $46.52 million. Among the districts studied, only Alachua County’s total staffing-related expenditures ($52 million) were closer to Leon’s level. Okaloosa County spent $47.39 million, Santa Rosa spent $46.30 million, and Bay County spent $40.40 million.

The comparison comes as Leon County Schools faces discussions about future funding needs, enrollment trends, and a proposed property tax referendum intended to generate additional revenue for district operations.

District officials have argued that additional funding is necessary to maintain educational programs and address rising costs. Critics have questioned whether the district should first evaluate existing staffing levels and spending patterns before seeking additional taxpayer support.

The data highlights areas where Leon’s spending patterns differ substantially from similar-sized school systems and may prompt further discussion about staffing priorities and resource allocation.

Foster concludes that, based on this data, “Almost 5,000 jobs have vanished in 18 months.”

Foster’s conclusion is wrong and here’s why.

The jobs data Foster is referring to comes from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) and measures employment by place of residence, not total jobs created in a specific county.

For measuring jobs created in Leon County, the federal government publishes the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).

Comparing the two sources of job information shows why Foster’s conclusion related to vanishing jobs is wrong.

In the table below, the QCEW data shows the “Jobs in Leon County” increased 9.8% from 2021 to 2025. The Leon County economy added 14,725 jobs during this period.

However, the data that measures “Leon Residents with Jobs in Leon County” only increased by 10,050 or 6.8% during this period. And as Foster points out, this number decreased in 2025.

The big story in this data is not the vanishing jobs but the vanishing people that still hold the jobs created in Leon County.

Since 2021 over 4,500 people with jobs in Leon County chose to move outside Leon County. And even more relevant is that most of this movement occurred recently, in 2024 and 2025.

Where did the people go? For the answer to that question, let’s turn to population growth.

The table below shows the latest census population numbers available for Leon, Jefferson and Wakulla counties from 2020 to 2025.

Foster argues that census data shows Leon County loss 1,400 residents in 2024. However, the most recent revisions do not support this decline.

The most recent data shows 2.3% population growth in Leon County over 2020-25, much less than the 8.9% for Florida over the same period and even less than the population growth in Wakulla (12.8%) and Jefferson (10.3%) counties.

Now it is becoming clear where the people with jobs in Leon County went – to Wakulla and Jefferson counties. And when they left, they kept their Leon County jobs.

Implications

The above analysis shifts the focus about the local economy from the Leon County job market to a question about why people are choosing to work in Leon County but live elsewhere.

The list of possible answers to this question is long and, in my opinion, includes housing affordability, local taxes, public school quality, crime and, yes, politics. This discussion will be left for another day.

However, regardless of the answer, If this trend continues, the Leon County economy will continue to create more jobs and eventually begin losing out on the benefits of the job growth.

For a great example of what this might look like, look no further than the Leon County School Board: declining enrollment, unused infrastructure, under paid teachers, and increasing property taxes!

In her answer to question on the subject, Inman-Johnson said FSU Health is not contractually obligated to provide indigent care to patients served by Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) under the new agreement. Inman-Johnson said, “We don’t have a contract that shows a commitment that FSU will continue that commitment…”

However, that is not the case.

It has been widely reported that the agreement signed in April, which transferred city owned hospital assets to FSU Health, has the same provisions for indigent care that the City of Tallahassee agreement with TMH provided. The new agreement requires FSU Health and TMH to provide at least the same amount of indigent care that was provided under the City of Tallahassee agreement with TMH.

The relevant contract language, provided below, shows that FSU and TMH have an agreement related to charity care via the FSU-TMH Amended and Restated Lease.

The contract can be viewed here.

In addition to the contractual language, FSU Health has noted that “Charity care and low-income medical access are unchanged by the partnership with Florida State University. The transition explicitly protects vulnerable populations. The legal property deeds transferred from the city include strict, ironclad restrictions requiring FSU and TMH to maintain charity and indigent care commitments that are at least as generous as those previously set forth in the City-TMH lease agreement.”

TR was told that the failure of FSU Health to meet the contractual obligations and provide the appropriate level of charity care would be a breach of contract.

When asked about her statement, Inman Johnson told TR, via an email, that “No clarifying statement is needed since the forum was live streamed and your statement is a lie. I stated (paraphrased) that the City sold TMH at a bargain basement price before finalizing the contract to ensure indigent health would continue; and that is exactly what happened.”

County officials said a study found Leon County is more reliant on the funds from property taxes than a typical Florida county, with property tax revenue making up about 60% of the county’s budget. They also said there is no other revenue source that can replace the funds generated by property taxes.

Documents prepared for the workshop reviewed the FY 2027 Preliminary Budget, which totals $420.8 million — a 4.8% increase over the current fiscal year budget. County officials described the upcoming budget year as a transition period designed to prepare for potential structural changes if voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment affecting property taxes.

The proposed amendment, approved by the Florida Legislature for the November ballot, would increase the homestead exemption and direct the Legislature to establish procedures to gradually eliminate homestead property taxes. It would also reduce the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%. County staff estimate the measure could reduce Leon County’s property tax revenue by approximately $71 million, or 30%, during the first two years of implementation.

County leaders discussed cost saving measures to prepare for possible cuts like implementing a hiring freeze for non-essential positions and a voluntary separation program, similar to the one offered by the City of Tallahassee.

“Given the magnitude of the projected property tax reductions, I’m proposing that the county implement immediate stop-gap measures in the current fiscal year to the best position the county for the difficult decisions to be made in the coming months,” Leon County Administrator Vince Long said. “This includes a hiring freeze for all nonessential personnel, a freeze on nonessential travel and training not required to maintain certifications and licenses, a freeze on discretionary community sponsorships, not including those line items approved in March in your budget.”

Long said that these measures are designed to mitigate layoffs to the greatest extent possible by leaving vacant positions unfilled and to realize cost savings that can be used to delay service level reductions.

With commission approval, the hiring, travel and training freezes will extend to the constitutional offices, such as the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Leon County Clerk of Courts.

Amid all the cost saving discussion, commissioners voted 4-3 in favor or a 4% raise for county employees. This will cost the county an additional $800,000, but commissioners in support said this may be the last time they’re able to give raises for a while. Those against said they can’t support spending more on salaries when the potential for property tax revenue to be cut is on the table.

“We’re lucky to have a gap year to prepare for what we have to deal with next year. But as we make our decisions today, let’s make our decisions today understanding what we’re going to have to deal with a year from now, and understanding the position that Leon County – not just the commissioners and not just the constitutionals – but Leon County as a whole is going to be in when we have to deal with those cost-savings,” Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox said.

The county may also enact a voluntary separation program for employees. It would be the second local government to institute that form of cutback.

Specific details related to the issues discussed will be provided at another workshop in July.